Extend HDMI, Stereo and Control Signals 300 Feet Over One Thin Fiber

Neothings is introducing at EHX Spring 2009 a fiber-optic solution that lets dealers deliver high-def video, stereo audio and control throughout a home – all over a single thin optical wire – over distances of at least 300 feet.

The new solution, called LightSpider, could potentially eliminate the need to run multiple Cat 5 cables throughout the house (required with most HDMI extenders), as well as clunky signal amplifiers and a host of other annoying signal-enhancement devices.

LightSpider is a bridge that includes HDMI, RS-232 and analog audio inputs/outputs, "but over time we will create comprehensive solutions for all audio, video, data and control signal distribution needs in the residential space and beyond," says Neothings CEO Bill Paul.

Technology Driven by OWLink

Visit Neothings and sister company NeoPro in booth 546 at the Electronic House Expo (EHX) Spring, March 11-14, 2009, Orlando, Fla. There will also be demonstrations of future DLI products from other partners

Plenty of fiber-optic solutions exist today, but Neothings selected OWLink because Paul found it to be the most comprehensive.

"Over a single fiber, we will be able to do HD video, 100MB Ethernet, RS-232, IR, USB, several additional channels of digital audio, and more," he says. "That's pretty much everything a person would need for each zone in a home."

Paul says that the other fiber solutions he explored require multiple fibers or a parallel Cat 5 cable, and that they do not support all of the signals that OWLink does.

"But the most important feature," he says, "is HDCP over DLI."

Paul explains that OWLink worked directly with Digital Content Protection LLC to include the DLI interface in the HDCP spec.

"And as we have seen in the past," Paul says, "keeping the content owners happy is critical to the success of a video/media interface."

Do A/V Installers Even Want a Fiber Solution?

Have home systems integrators been asking for something like this?

Well, not in so many words.

There is obvious demand for whole-house digital audio and HD video, "but currently most of the pros I talk to can't get that done reliably and are looking for solid solutions to the problem," says Paul. "Based on that general request, we can see that this fiber technology is the best solution for the problem."

Paul says his company has been working with OWLink for over a year and have "helped them in identifying the market needs and strategy of deploying DLI into the custom residential space."

He adds, "This is the kind of thing that if you wait for market demand, you're late."

Isn't Terminating Fiber a Big Fat Pain?

The best that Paul could muster to this question is: "It's no too difficult really."

There are field termination kits on the market that use epoxy or hot melt glue, and "with a little practice a good tech can terminate a fiber in 10 to 15 minutes," he says.

Currently, Neothings is using multimode fiber, "which is the easiest type to terminate," Paul says.

Plus, while a nicely terminated fiber can take LightSpider to distances of over 300 feet, the typical home probably won't require that type of range. With shorter distances, Paul says, "We have an excess of power available and can tolerate quite a bit of loss from poorly terminated fibers."

What Does it Cost?

Paul won't share specifics on pricing, but he does offer some comparables.

Whether or not LightSpider is more economical than Cat 5 or HDMI solutions – including installation considerations -- depends on the distance.

LightSpider may not be worth it, for example, if you're taking HDMI a relatively short distance, say, 30 feet.

"But try to take HDMI to 300 feet and you will likely have several boxes, cables, perhaps power needed mid-run, and a more complex installation," Paul says. "For fiber, the cost and complexity is basically the same for 30 feet or 500 feet."

As a bonus, Neothings has sourced a transparent fiber that "looks like fishing line," Paul says. It can be installed outside of the wall, making it an ideal retrofit solution.

Details, he says, will be announced soon.

At EHX, in booth 546, Neothings and sister company NeoPro will demonstrate LightSpider. In addition, other prototype devices based on OWLink's DLI technology will be on display.

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About the Author

Julie Jacobson, Co-Founder, EH Publishing / Editor-at-large, CE Pro

Julie Jacobson, recipient of the 2014 CEA TechHome Leadership Award, is co-founder of EH Publishing, producer of CE Pro, Electronic House, Commercial Integrator, Security Sales and other leading technology publications. She currently spends most of her time writing for CE Pro in the areas of home automation, security, networked A/V and the business of home systems integration. Julie majored in Economics at the University of Michigan, spent a year abroad at Cambridge University, earned an MBA from the University of Texas at Austin, and has never taken a journalism class in her life. She's a washed-up Ultimate Frisbee player currently residing in Carlsbad, Calif. Follow her on Twitter @juliejacobson. [More by Julie Jacobson]

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Posted by Ecconashukkuha Piccodoclea on 03/09 at 11:13 AM

It will end up with a small twist at the end of thin ropes. It will be able to end the discussion of how and why they bundle solo packs of prosecution. I think this will preempt any early doings of ocular neoplasm. It is a fine point made by conclusions leading to proxy counters.

Posted by Phil on 03/09 at 05:41 PM

Well Said!

Posted by TLG Scott on 03/14 at 10:23 AM

If the price is right, this will be successful. Pkg less the fiver has to be no more than $500 per box. ($1,000 solution at retail)